Sifting structure



Aug. 4, 1936. s'. scHlr-'F SIFTING STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 1l, 1954 Patented Aug. 4, 1936 UNITD STATS 'ear sir'riNo s'rauc'ruan Sigmund Schiff, Cincinnati,

The J. H. Day Company,

corporation of Ohio Application April 11,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and useful sifting structure that may be applied to various classes of machines or used independently for sifting powdered, pulverulent, flocculent, or granular materials.

An object of the invention is to provide a sifting device which will have a greatly increased action upon certain kinds of materials, such as flours and the like which comprise coalescent flakes or particles, and which provides for easy and complete removal of the tailings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel short-stroke sifter which will with great speed sift materials comprising coalescent akes or particles, with a low power consumption.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sifting structure of the above stated character which will not permit the escape of siftable material between the moving parts thereof, and which may readily be cleaned.

Other objects of the invention are: to provide a sifting mechanism and novel means associated therewith, for attaching the sifting mechanism to existing hoppers or other supports; to provide novel, convenient, and quickly manipulated means for removal of the sifter for cleaning or replacement purposes; to provide for easy and complete removal of the tailings resulting from the sifting action; and to provide a novel sifting mechanism which is durable yet inexpensive to manufacture, and which is simple and easy to operate.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental plan View of the sifter of this invention, without the adapter plate which is shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an adapter plate whereby the sifter may easily be mounted upon a hopper.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental elevational view, partly in cross-section, showing a hopper to which the adapter plate and sifter may be secured.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental cross-sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

The device of this invention comprises, in general, a housing or casing (Fig. 2) composed of an upper member 'l and a lower member 8,'which are spaced apart interiorly to receive a reciprocatory screened frame 9. At the extreme right side of Fig. 2 is shown a means for reciprocating or vibrating the screened frame, said means comprising an extension lEl having a handle i2 and means I3 providing a readily separable connection with a rocking lever or element lll. The lever It is pivoted as at l5 upon a handle or other disengaging means l5, and a rocking motion may ,be imparted to said lever I4 by means of a motor Chio, assigner to Cincinnati, Ohio, a

1934, Serial No. 720,050

driven eccentric ll and a connecting rod i8. By lifting the handle l5, the members lll and i8 will be elevated to sever the connection between the parts i3 and i9. The handle l5 is pivoted upon the support 2li at the point 2l. A pivot for the 5 parts lll and i8 is indicated by the character 22.

Any suitable means, such as a stop device 23--2l-i, may be employed to maintain the handle in either the elevated or the lowered position.

The foregoing should furnish a general under- 10 standing of the manner in which the screened frame may be vibrated or reciprocated, and of how the screened frame may be slid bodily to the right for removal thereof from the side at end v of the housing or casing, after severing the connection at i3-l9- With reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, it is to be understood that the adapter plate 25 and the hopper 26 may be fastened down onto the top of housing part i, by means of the bolts and nuts Z'l-ZB and 253-30. The usual lower angle iron frame piece of the hopper, indicated by broken lines 3l, is of course removed when the hopper is to' be connected with the adapter plate and the sifter housing, thereby permitting thev valve slide 32 to rest upon the adapter plate. The adapter plate is drilled as at 33 to receive the hopper bolts 29, and the bolts 2l are adapted to enter suitable bores 34 in the sifter housing. rIhe central aperture 35 of the adapter plate is made to coincide with the hopper discharge port. This construction provides a simple and convenient means for associating the sifting device with hoppers of various sizes. It is immaterial to the invention whether is a scale hopper or one of any other type. In practice, however, the hopper ordinarily has upwardly and outwardly inclined Walls, as shown. A handle for the valve slide is indicated at 36.

Attention is directed particularly to the struc-y tural features of the combination whereby the screen 3l', instead of moving bodily a large mass of the siftable material, vigorously disturbs the cohesion of the particles in the screen mesh While the entire mass above the screen is maintained substantially static by the hopper or overhead receptacle. The result of this is that the par- -ticles are freed from the mesh and permitted to leave the screen by gravity or otherwise. To accomplish the foregoing, the inlet aperture 38 of the screen housing is made substantially the same size as the hopper outlet, and the screen 31 is located as close to the hopper discharge as is possible, preferably without omitting the slight spacing between the screen andthe upper surface 39 of the screen frame. Said spacing is provided to retain the 'impurities and foreign matter from at least one batch of the material being sifted. When the screen frame. is withdrawn from the housing, through'the screen 69 relative to the support 2Q.

frame aperture or slot 40, any foreign material, impurities, or rolls of lint, accumulated thereon will pass through said aperture or slot 45, without interfering with removal of the screened frame. The screen thereby can be maintained in an unusually clean and open condition, because of the ease with which the tailings may be removed. It is to be understood that in other applications, it may be preferable to support the screen in close proximity with the outlet port of the hopper. In such applications, the removal of tailings may be accomplished by other means.

When a mass of material, such as our or the like having coalescent particles or flakes, is placed within the hopper for sifting, the inclined hopper walls and the slight depth of the screen frame cooperate to prevent forceful contact between the screen and the lowermost area of the mass, thereby greatly increasing the sifting speed and reducing the power required to reciprocate the screen. rIhe screen supports but a fraction of the weight of the mass and is thereby relieved of this burden during reciprocation thereof.

Means are yprovided for precluding the escape and loss of siftable material between the moving parts of the device. Said means may comprise a pair of inwardly and downwardly inclined pa'n members il and 52 which are adapted to direct into the sifter outlet or discharge port 43 any particles of Vmaterial that pass outwardly of the screen frame along the bearing surfaces 44 and 45. The parts l'of the lower housing member 3, which provide the bearingsurfaces f1.5, are spaced from the pans il and 42 so as to provide ducts or ways 4l in communication with the discharge or outlet port 43, whereby any material escaping past the screen frame will be directed into the receiver A8. The receiver'AS may be a box, bag, or other receptacle, vor it may be a receiving port or opening in the top of a canopy cover for a dough mixer or *other machine. As is clearly shown in Fig. 2, each of the pans may be of resilient sheet metal bent to substantially I v-shape and having a forward edge 49 resting upon a ledge 50 of the lower housing member, while the angularly turned portion 5| is supported in position by means of depressions 52 which receive the heads of rivets or studs 53 carried by the member 43. Outwardly turned edges 54 on the pans provide an easy means of dislodging the pans for cleaning or replacement. The screen 3T may be secured tothe inwardly directed anges 55 of the screen frame by the use of any suitable means, there being shown a series of rivets or screws 56 for the purpose.

AmplifyingV the description relative to the screen` controlling means, it maybe stated that the projecting stop member v254i preferably is urged toward the notched'disc or drum 23 by means of a compression spring 51,-sothat movement of handle l5 about its` pivotal mounting will result in disposition of the member 24 in either of the peripheral notches 58 or 59, whereby the vibrating part i9 is connected or disconnected relative to the screen frame at the will of the operator. A plate'e on handle member I5 may be employed to hold in position the spring 5l and the spring urged stud or stop member 24.

The shaft which furnishes the pivotal connection 22 is indicated at 6l, and said shaft may be pinned or otherwise fixed relative to the rock frame i4. The pivot I6 includes a shaft B2, and the pivot 2l includes the'shaft 63 which is fixed Said shaftf63 supports bracketmeans v64 which 'carry the shaft 62 (Fig. l). From the foregoing it should be evident that I have provided a sifting structure which may be thoroughly cleaned or serviced with the expenditure of a minimum of time and eiTort, and which, by reason of the particular relationship of parts as set forth, speedily sifts the mass of material without requiring the screen to support and move a large quantity of the siftable material, thereby effecting a saving of power and wearing of the parts. Also, provision is made for removal of lint and foreign matter in an accumulated condition, for easy removal. By attaching the sifter to the hopper structure, a gentle vibratory movement is transmitted to the hopper for insuring proper feeding of the siftable mass to the sifting screen. The sifting structure is unitary, and therefore may easily be installed or removed When associated with other structures such as mixers for dough or other substances. Y

The device of this invention is of considerable assistance in the production'of high grade bakery goods, by reason of the fact that aeration ofthe flour resulting from the use of the device induces the production of a fine dough in which the flour particles are intimately mixed with the other ingredients.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in the structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the Yspirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for operating upon siftable materials, the combination of a hollow housing having an open top, an open bottom, and an open end, a removable screened frame mounted in the housing for reciprocatory movement between the open top and the open bottom thereof, an eX- tension on the frame projecting outwardly of the housing through the open end thereof, an engaging means on said extension, a rocking member and displaceable means carried by said rocking member for engaging the engaging means of the extension, whereby to translate rocking motion of the rocking member into reciprocating motion of the extension and the screened frame, manual means movable to operative'and inoperative positions for engaging and disengaging, selectively, the cooperative engaging means of the extension and of the rocking member, motor driven means for rocking the rocking member irrespective of the position of the manual means, and means for selectively maintaining the manual means in the said operative and inoperative positions. Y

2. In a device for operating upon siftable materials, the combination of a hollow housing having an open top, an open bottom, and an open end, a removable screened frame mounted in the housing for reciprocatory movement between the open top and the open bottom thereof, an extension on the frame projecting outwardly of the housing through the open end thereof, an engaging means on said extension, a rocking member and displaceable means carried by said rocking member for engaging the engaging means of the extension, whereby to translate rocking motion of the rocking member into reciprocating motion of the extension and the screened frame, manual means movable to operative and inoperative positions for engaging and disengaging, selectively,

'the cooperative engaging means of the extension and of the rocking member, motor driven means for rocking the rocking member irrespective of the position-of the manual means, means for selectively maintaining the manual means in the said operative and inoperative positions and a drawer pull on the extension for facilitating removal of the screened frame when the manual means is disposed in the inoperative position.

3. In combination, an elevated hopper for feeding siftable material, said hopper having a discharge port in its bottom, a sifting device including an apertured housing, a reciprocating screen, a motor, and a vibrator driven by the motor, all supported by the housing, an adapter plate having an aperture therein to register substantially with the aperture of the housing and with the port of the hopper, means securing the adapter plate to the sifter housing, and separate means for securing the adapter plate to the hopper.

4. In a device for operating upon siftable materials, the combination of a hollow housing having an open top, an open bottom, and an open end, a removable screened frame mounted in the housing for reciprocatory movement between the open top and the open bottom thereof, an engageable extension on the frame projecting outwardly of the housing through the open end thereof, a rocking member and displaoeable means carried by said rocking member for engaging the engageable extension of the frame whereby to translate rocking motion of the rocking member into reciprocating motion of the eX- tension and the screened frame, selectively controllable means movableto operativeand inoperative positions for engaging and disengaging, selectively, the cooperative engageable extension of the frame and the engaging means of the rocking member, and motor driven means for rocking the rocking member irrespective of the position of said selectively controllable means.

5. In a device for operating upon siftable materials, the combination of a hollow housing having an open top, an open bottom, and an open end, a. screened frame insertable and withdrawable through said open end and mounted in the housing for reciprocatory movement between the open top and the open bottom thereof, an engageable extension on the screen frame projecting outwardly of the housing and movable in the plane of reciprocation of the frame, a power actuated screen frame reciprocating means movable into and out of the plane of reciprocating movement of the frame and its extension, and means for selectively disposing the frame reciprocating means out of the plane of movement of the extension and disengaging the reciprocating means from the engageable means of said frame extension, thereby clearing the path of removal movement of the screen frame.

6. In a device for operating upon siftable materials, the combination of a hollow housing having an open top, an open bottom, and an open end, a screened frame mounted in the housing for reciprocatory movement between the open top and the open bottom thereof, an engageable extension on the frame movable along a plane and projecting outwardly of the housing through the open end thereof, said open end being sufficiently large to permit insertion and withdrawal of the screen frame, a power actuated screen frame reciprocating means normally disposed in the path of movement of the frame extension and normally in constant engaging relationship with said extension, and normally stationary means for selectively displacing the said frame reciprocating means laterally of the plane of movement of the frame extension.

7. A sifter structure comprising in combination, a reciprocating screened frame having upper bearing surfaces all around the frame, and lower bearing surfaces all around the frame, a screen frame housing having an open top, an open bottom, and an open end through which the screen frame may be withdrawn, said housing including upper and lower bearing surfaces for contacting the frame all around and thus completely confining the screened area of the frame so that substantially all substance fed to the screened area must pass therethrough, except for an infinitesimal amount which lubricates the bearing surfaces and passes therebetween, a controllable reciprocating means for the screened frame, and means for selectively displacing the said reciprocating means to allow of withdrawing the screened frame through the open end of the housing for quickly cleaning the screened area of the frame.

8. A sifter structure comprising in combination, a reciprocating screen frame having upper bearing surfaces all around the frame and lower bearing surfaces all around the frame, a screen in the frame and disposed considerably lower than the said upper bearing surfaces, for supporting tailings, rolls of lint and the like entirely within the limits of the screen frame, a screen frame housing having an open top, an open bottom, and an open end through which the frame is snugly slidable for withdrawal of the frame, said housing including upper and lower bearing surfaces for contacting the frame all around at its upper and lower bearing surfaces, thus completely confining the screened area of the frame so that substantially all substance fed to the screened area must pass therethrough, except for an infinitesimal amount which lubricates the bearing surfaces and passes therebetween, a controllable reciprocating means for the screened frame, means for selectively displacing the said reciprocating means to allow of withdrawing the screened frame through the open end of the housing for quickly cleaning the screened area of the frame, and ducts at opposite ends of the screened frame, arranged to convey to a location below the screen thereof, the Vmaterial which passes between the bearing surfaces aforesaid.

9. In a device for operating upon siftable materials, the combination of a hollow housing having an open top, an open bottom, and an open end, a removable screenedframe mounted in the housing for reciprocatory movement between the open top and the open bottom thereof, an engageable extension on the frame, a rocking member and displaoeable means carried by said rocking member for engaging the engageable extension of the frame whereby to translate rocking motion of the rocking member into reciprocating motion of the extension and thel screened frame, selectively controllable means movable to operative and inoperative positions for engaging and disengaging, selectively, the cooperative engageable extension of the frame and the engaging means of the rocking member, and motor driven means for rocking the rocking member irrespective of the position of said selectively controllable means.

SIGMUND SCI-IIFF. 

